Friday, April 27, 2012

How music as a teen meant so much


I'm on a guest blog tour and this blog was recently on  Fang-tastic Books

As a teen my music defined me. I listened to Tracy Chapman, Enya and Lady Blacksmith Mombasa. Songs filled with longing, freedom and tales of woe that echoed my teen life resonated with me. When I heard those songs I poured my feelings into poetry. I wrote and wrote lines of words that connected me to something. Always when I felt down I poured those feeling into poetry. Some teens turn to painting, writing music or playing music to let out their emotions. Teens, like adults, need outlets. I’m a writer. Without writing I’m sure I’d be locked up in the nut house. Like many adult I juggle lots—children, working and writing.
When I write the demons go away. When I write the pain fades and I become engrossed with the lives of my characters. Sometimes writing can be a chore but once I start I lose track of time. Yes, writing is work and writing a realistic contemporary teen book when you’re an adult can be daunting but isn’t that life—daunting. One day at time. That was my motto as a teen. I used that to get through the lonely days and then I plotted away out. I set a goal, much like I do with writing. As for finding that teen voice. I delved deep. Sure I used some modern slang to make it real but for most of it I tried to keep the first person POV of my two girls in Off Limits just like how two normal teens talk.
Today when I write I listen to CBC radio. Why? It’s like white noise in the background and I can tune into the news when I want to. My taste in music has changed but those Tracy Chapman songs still pull at me. What do you listen to when you read? If you’re a writer is there a specific music you listen to?

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Mila Ramos - Jademystique Blog: Off Limits by Renee Pace

Mila Ramos - Jademystique Blog: Off Limits by Renee Pace: Please welcome Renee Pace as she brings us her book Off Limits . An ebook copy of Off Limits  will be given away to one lucky read...

Today I'm on Mila Ramos's for the start of my YA blog tour. Hope you'll join me. It's going to be lots of fun and of course prizes as always.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Authors in Bloom Blog Hop - Kindle or Nook up for grabs




www.acozyreaderscorner.com

Also for complete instructions on how to enter - check out - http://diannevenetta.com/events/authors-in-bloom-blog-hop/# - up for grabs a Nook or Kindle as the mega prize

Line 22: You’ve been chosen as the most beautiful bloom


Line 23: a stand out among the crowd.

My prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card and e-copy of Off Limits  will be awarded to one lucky person at the end of the hop who leaves a comment on my blog.


Hi everyone: Today with it being Easter weekend I thought I'd post a delicious lamb stew recipe. We always have a leg of lamb for Easter dinner but honestly the stew I make up the next day is my fav!

Irish-Style Lamb Stew



Ingredients

• 1 pound cubed lamb meat

• 1 large onion, halved and sliced

• 1 pound baking potatoes, peeled and sliced

• 1 carrot, peeled and sliced

• 1 large stalk celery, sliced

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

• salt and pepper to taste

• 2 cups beef stock

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

2. Layer the lamb meat, onion, potatoes, carrot and celery in an oven proof pot or casserole dish. Season each layer with parsley, salt and pepper as you go. Pour in the beef stock and cover tightly.

3. Bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours in the preheated oven, until vegetables and meat are very tender. Divide into bowls and garnish with additional parsley.